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Year in Review

This week for our very last episode of 2017, we're doing a recap of the year. Think marriage equality, Malcolm Trumble, Barnaby Joyce's NZ citizenship, Ja Rule's epic Fyre Festival, Katter's crocodiles and last, but not least, Sean "Spicey" Spicer. Join our hosts Osman Faruqi, Sam Jonscher and Selena Shannon as they look back at their favourites stories, political blunders and predictions for next year.

Professional right-wing trolls and internal divisions within the Coalition

This week, we chat to Josh Butler about professional right-wing troll Milo Yiannopoulos, why he's chosen to come to Australia and what his press conference was like. We also talk about the internal divisions within the Coalition, the New England by-election and calls for Malcolm Turnbull to step down as PM.

Parliamentary holidays and the Streets boycott

Have you spent the last few weeks boycotting Paddlepops, Magnums and Golden Gaytimes? This week, George Simon from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union joins us to discuss the end of the Streets boycott and what it means for the company's workers. We've also thrown in some parliamentary chit-chat for good measure, focusing on Bob Katter's crocodiles, more citizenship drama and PM Malcolm Turnbull's decision to suspend the House of Representatives for a week.

Breaking down the result of the same sex marriage survey

This week, our Backchat hosts Ariel Bogle and Osman Faruqi break down the result of the same sex marriage survey with Ben Raue, a data analyst from Get Up, and Carrie Hou, who campaigned with Democracy in Colour for the Yes vote in Western Sydney.

Save the Sirius Building and the Citizenship Saga

This week, we chat to Shaun Carter from the Save Our Sirius Foundation about the fight to save Sydney's Sirius building. What does the future hold for it, and why is it so important to the city's heritage? We also talk about the citizenship scandal rocking Australian politics. Even after the High Court challenge last month, a number of politicians have been found to be dual citizens. Backchat hosts, Osman Faruqi and Sam Jonscher look into the issue, discussing the latest developments in the saga.

Youth unemployment and NSW Police's "secret blacklist"

Youth unemployment rates are currently at a staggering 17 per cent in Australia. We talk to some recent graduates to hear their struggles on finding a job.
We also welcome in Dr Vicki Sentas, senior lecturer at UNSW, to talk about NSW Police's latest "Suspect Target Management Plan." The "secret blacklist" policy targets children as young as ten and is being criticised for criminalising young people.

Go for gold: Medals of Honour and Dishonour

This week we have a special edition of Backchat for FBi Radio's Go For Gold supporter drive.
Joining us as our extra guest host is Backchat alumnus Luke Marshall. We talk Jacindamania in New Zealand, Malcolm Turnbull's new energy policy, diversity in music, and black holes.

Politics of pop culture panel at NYWF

Listen back to our panel discussion on the politics of pop culture at the National Young Writers' Festival.
Our panelists are poet and activist Evelyn Araluen, and writers James Colley and Sinead Stubbins. Moderated by Backchat hosts, Osman Faruqi and Ariel Bogle.

Pill testing and Australian anxieties over China

This week, we chat pill testing at Australian music festivals.
Later, we invite James Laureceson, the Deputy Director of Australian-China Relations Institute, to talk about Australia's growing anxieties over China.

Macklemore's "Same Love" and rigged pokies on trial

This week, Backchat discusses the culture wars revolving around Macklemore and his song "Same Love."
Later, we chat to journalist Drew Rooke about whether pokie machines are being rigged. A former gambling addict has taken Crown Casino and Aristocrat to federal court on claims the popular "Dolphin Treasure" machines are deceptive. Are they in breach of Australian consumer law for misrepresenting punters' chances of winning?

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